But as Agler has one eye on Minnesota, he has another on the Connecticut Sun's coaching job.

Agler interviewed last week at Mohegan Sun. He and former Seattle Storm coach and general manager Lin Dunn, who also has interviewed, top the Sun's wish list.

``I have no idea what direction they are heading in,'' said Agler, whose contract with the Lynx ends after the coming season. ``I know they have talked to a variety of people, but I can tell you I have tremendous interest in the position.''

The list, which could grow, is at four: Besides Agler and Dunn, the Sun have shown interest in Ron Rothstein, coach of the defunct Miami Sol, and ESPN women's basketball analyst Nancy Lieberman, former coach of the Detroit Shock.

Mitchell Etess, executive vice president of marketing for Mohegan Sun, would not discuss candidates separately, but said, ``You could call [Dunn and Agler] the front-runners right now. Both have the vast experience that we're looking for.''

The Sun probably will decide today whether to offer Rothstein or Lieberman an interview. Agler said he doesn't know when he will hear from the Sun.

``They're on their own schedule,'' Agler said. ``They have a really good situation there. It's unique and I think it's good for the WNBA. There are different dynamics with it not being tied to an NBA team. There's going to be total focus on that team and, having experienced the passion Connecticut has toward women's basketball, I think it will carry over [to the Sun]. It really intrigues me because I have that same passion.''

Agler was asked to resign as Minnesota's coach last season after the Lynx got off to a 6-13 start. Agler, 48-67 in three-plus seasons at Minnesota, said he respects the Minnesota organization, which allowed him to interview with the Sun, and that having his job cut in half was not necessarily as bad as it may seem. That's not to say he isn't itching to get back on the sideline.

``I just love to coach,'' said Agler, who led Columbus of the ABL to two championships before the league folded in 1998.